Two men arrested for attempted child abduction

Two men are in custody after allegedly enticing and harassing a 12-year-old for sexual purposes on Friday, according to Sheriff Ron Long.

The suspects, Mohammed Mahmoud Omar Mefleh, 34, and Antoine Chela, 31, were arrested Friday evening after they reportedly attempted to entice a 12-year old female into their vehicle for illicit purposes.

Both men are temporarily stationed at Fort Leonard Wood for military training purposes, according to Sheriff Long. According to court documents, Chela lives off Lafeyette Road in Waynesville and Meflah lives off Triple Lane in St. Robert.

Sheriff Deputies were called to the juvenile female's home late Friday afternoon to investigate

the incident.

According to the victim, she was playing with a sibling in the yard when two men approached her on several occasions in an attempt to lure her into their vehicle, allegedly asking for sexual favors. Court documents state that the men "asked the victim to "get into a car to go to a party and have sex."

The responding deputies were able to locate the suspects and after investigating the matter, arrested Mefleh and Chela. Both are currently being held in the Pulaski County Jail with a $200,000 bond. Mefleh and Chlela could face up to 11 years in prison if convicted. The two men are expected to appear in court on Tuesday.